Beginer just planted seeds!

Marrero · 09-04-2009, 02:49 PM

The main question is: from what plant you planted seeds? Most bonsai kits come with black pine seeds, and some of the seeds are viable if the kit have been stored properly in the store.

The process of putting seeds in the fridge (stratification?) depends on the tree. Also the best time to plant them, and the way to plant them. Is very gratifying to see life manifested in the sprouting of a plant (even in the refrigerator!). Consider buying a tree to start working it to a bonsai.

You can buy more seeds from Whatcom Seed company (seedrack.com) at good price.

big_tuna · 09-15-2009, 02:47 PM

Hi guys. I checked on my trees today and was surprised and glad to see they've sprouted!

.

OK, so what should I do next? I have stored them back in some new plastic bags (as the old ones blew off) and have put them back under their shelter...

Is now the time to store them in the refrigirator?

And unfortunately, I don't know what type of seeds they are as the seed packet they came in was just labelled 'Mixed Seeds'.

big_tuna · 09-15-2009, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by treebeard55

Hi, Big Tuna. (That name sounds almost Hawaiian to me.)

Phil and Centaura have been coaching you pretty well. Let me just add two thing.

Some seeds need a period of cold, then milder temperatures, before they will sprout. If some of your seeds don't sprout now, don't assume they're not viable. If they are still plump and hard, hang onto them, keep them cool and dry, until later.

Phil's right: you don't want to put seedlings in the frig. If I were you, I would plan to keep any sprouts indoors, under lights and at room temperature, for this winter. They will continue to grow, and will need water and fertilizer, etc. But that's your best chance of getting them thru the winter successfully.

Then next year you can treat them according to their particular climatic needs.

Just read this after I made my post. OK, I will follow your instruction and store the indoors when the winter comes.

Question: Do I still need to cover them?

Thanks for your help everyone

centaura · 09-15-2009, 03:28 PM

Right now your seedlings are growing, so you 1: can't put them in a fridge, 2: can't block their access to light, and 3: can't keep them outdoors past another couple of weeks from now (or until your night time temps start dipping below 50F). Normally one would sprout seeds in the spring, which would give them the growing season to grow enough to go dormant the following fall. Since you've started your seeds now, you need to figure out how to keep them growing indoors (not an ideal environment) through the winter, and through next summer (most plants resent not having their dormant period). Next spring, again as soon as temps get above 50F at night, you can bring the seedlings outside to grow for the rest of the summer, but then they need to go dormant next fall.

-Centaura

treebeard55 · 09-15-2009, 05:16 PM

BTW, 50 degrees Fahrenheit is almost exactly 10 degrees Celsius.

big_tuna · 10-05-2009, 06:28 PM

So another seedling decided to emerge, more robust than all the rest. It has a distinctive look and I looked at images on the web, seems like it's black pine. Looks exactly like this: http://www.gigablonde.com/blog/wp-co...ngs_photo2.jpg

Can anyone point me in the right direction for guidelines on growing this tree?

09-15-2009, 05:16 PM	#15 (permalink)
treebeard55 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Warsaw IN, USA USDA zone 5b Posts: 510	BTW, 50 degrees Fahrenheit is almost exactly 10 degrees Celsius. __________________ Treebeard 55 Steve Moore http://hoosierbonsai.blogspot.com The most important bonsai tool is your brain.

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09-04-2009, 02:49 PM	#11 (permalink)
Marrero Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Santana county, near the city of Arecibo, in the north coast of Puerto Rico Posts: 25	The main question is: from what plant you planted seeds? Most bonsai kits come with black pine seeds, and some of the seeds are viable if the kit have been stored properly in the store. The process of putting seeds in the fridge (stratification?) depends on the tree. Also the best time to plant them, and the way to plant them. Is very gratifying to see life manifested in the sprouting of a plant (even in the refrigerator!). Consider buying a tree to start working it to a bonsai. You can buy more seeds from Whatcom Seed company (seedrack.com) at good price.

09-15-2009, 02:47 PM	#12 (permalink)
big_tuna Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Bristol, United Kingdom Posts: 7	Hi guys. I checked on my trees today and was surprised and glad to see they've sprouted! . OK, so what should I do next? I have stored them back in some new plastic bags (as the old ones blew off) and have put them back under their shelter... Is now the time to store them in the refrigirator? And unfortunately, I don't know what type of seeds they are as the seed packet they came in was just labelled 'Mixed Seeds'.

09-15-2009, 03:28 PM	#14 (permalink)
centaura Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: South Bend, IN Posts: 334	Right now your seedlings are growing, so you 1: can't put them in a fridge, 2: can't block their access to light, and 3: can't keep them outdoors past another couple of weeks from now (or until your night time temps start dipping below 50F). Normally one would sprout seeds in the spring, which would give them the growing season to grow enough to go dormant the following fall. Since you've started your seeds now, you need to figure out how to keep them growing indoors (not an ideal environment) through the winter, and through next summer (most plants resent not having their dormant period). Next spring, again as soon as temps get above 50F at night, you can bring the seedlings outside to grow for the rest of the summer, but then they need to go dormant next fall. -Centaura

10-05-2009, 06:28 PM	#16 (permalink)
big_tuna Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Bristol, United Kingdom Posts: 7	So another seedling decided to emerge, more robust than all the rest. It has a distinctive look and I looked at images on the web, seems like it's black pine. Looks exactly like this: http://www.gigablonde.com/blog/wp-co...ngs_photo2.jpg Can anyone point me in the right direction for guidelines on growing this tree?

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